Drugs in the Workplace. Public domain video. DRUGS IN THE WORKPLACE — What an employer needs to know. Substance abuse is a widespread problem in our society. An estimated 14.8 million Americans are current illicit drug users.1 The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported that 77 percent of illicit drug users in the United States are employed. Thats 9.4 million people. The chances are good that your organization employs one of these workers. Who is using drugs at work? A survey by the federal government showed full-time employees who admitted to being current illicit drug users tend to be: between the ages of 18 and 25 less educated male divorced or never married white low paid Industries with the highest rates of illicit drug use food preparation workers waiters, waitresses, and bartenders other service occupation workers construction workers workers in transportation and material moving3 How does substance abuse impact the workplace? Employees who abuse alcohol and other drugs bring their problems with them to work. Substance abuse lowers productivity. Problems related to alcohol and drug abuse cost American businesses roughly $81 billion in lost productivity in just one year. Studies have shown that substance-abusing employees function at about 67% of their capacity. Substance abuse causes accidents and injuries. Up to 40 percent of industrial fatalities and 47 percent of industrial injuries can be linked to alcohol use and alcoholism …
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